Officials with JMA Ventures would not reveal how many businesses remain open from Fifth to Seventh streets in the two-story plaza.

Visitors to the plaza encountered several "going out of businesses" signs.

Zee Jewelers is offering discounts up to 75 percent on diamonds as they seek to reduce inventory.

Owner Murad Kabani said he will close before the deadline and transfer the remaining merchandise to another store in Fairfield.

A vendor selling cellphone accessories from a cart said he would move into the plaza’s west side, which will remain open during construction.

Officials said the plaza stores west of Fifth Street will remain intact.

Those stores include Macy's, River City Brewing, Century Theaters and Johnny Rockets restaurant.

Also, the second-level plaza food court will stay in business with four remaining restaurants.

One restaurant owner is surprisingly optimistic about the future, despite the upcoming two-year construction project.

“Construction workers are the ones we hope will bring new business,” said Nadeem Haddad, the owner of Gyro Supreme. “While we are losing one part of our customers, then there is another part which is the construction people.”

Officials have not yet determined a start date for demolition this summer, or a specific date for beginning construction this fall.